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Explore Utah National Parks

Incredible outdoor adventures, five national parks and ancient ruins combine to make a trip to Utah the experience of a lifetime. See golden bridges of rock at Arches National Park, islands carved by rivers in Canyonlands National Park and red sandstone hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. Want to see people or not? In popular Zion National Park, go on a popular adventure wading in the Virgin River through the Narrows, or go off the beaten path on Capitol Reef National Park’s quiet canyon wash trails.

Cliffs, slot canyons, and dizzying views: This park has them all. Two classic Zion experiences: hiking Angels Landing and wading the Virgin River Narrows.

Famous for its weird and wonderful hoodoos—bulbous rock pillars—this southwestern Utah park also offers hiking, horseback riding, camping, and stargazing.

Marvel at more than 2,000 natural rock arches at this park just outside of Moab. Some can be spotted from the road, but the best require a scenic hike.

Island in the Sky District with the Green River

Canyonlands National Park is full of canyons, mesas, and buttes. But you won't find crowds here. It's Utah's least visited park even though it's the largest

The Golden Throne in Capitol Reef National Park

This national park preserves the 100-mile-long Waterpocket Fold (a “wrinkle” in the earth’s crust), a Mormon frontier settlement, and vast wilderness.

From the Flaming Gorge in the north to Monument Valley in the south, Utah is filled with parks and recreation areas for you to enjoy.

Woman with backpack at overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park

How do you pack for your desert climate that includes river hiking and rafting? Here are the top 15 items to put in your backpack.

Milky Way over a tree's rocky perch in Zion National Park

National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.

A hiker approaches Wall Street in the Zion Narrow

Be sure to hit one, or all, of the Top 10 Things to do and see in Utah Parks. There’s slot canyons, arches, museums, dinosaurs and more.

Where are the parks and recreation areas in Utah?

Utah's five national parks are all located in the southern part of the state and are often added on to a Grand Canyon vacation because of their proximity to Arizona. Winter sports resorts and parks are located in the center and northern regions of Utah with Brian Head and Snowbird being popular destinations. The northeastern section of Utah is famous for dinosaur fossils and the Flaming Gorge, a beautiful water sports and fishing area.

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Shafer Trail Road in Canyonlands National Park

Find an exciting scenic route to the parks when you follow one of these itineraries. We show you the best starting points and points of interest on the way.

The closest airports and their distances from Zion, Bryce, Arches and other Utah Parks.

Information and tips on how to best utilize Zion's free shuttle system. Watch the video.

A tunnel on the Mount Carmel Highway road in Zion National Park

A 1.1 mile-long tunnel is credited with converting Zion from an isolated and rarely visited park, to one of the most popular national parks

Where should I stay on my Utah vacation?

Zion and Bryce Canyon each have one lodge inside the park. However, all parks have campgrounds. There are a plethora of lodging options near the park entrances and in gateway towns including cabins, campgrounds, resorts, and hotels.

Red Mountain Resort near St. George, Utah.

Only two of the five Utah national parks have hotels or cabins inside the park, but your can find a variety of lodging in gateway communities right outside the park boundaries.

Spend time camping on your Utah National Park vacation at one of the many area campgrounds.

What is there to see in Utah's national parks?

Observation Point in Zion National Park on a cloudy day

Get the best views in this red-rock paradise in southwestern Utah. If you want to feel on top of the world, here are three fantastic Zion hikes that offer incredible vistas.

Photographers in Bryce Canyon National Park

The word "hoodoo" means to bewitch, which is what Bryce Canyon's rock formations surely do.

The La Sal Mountains seen through Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Courtesy of Moab

The largest concentration of natural arches in the world. Marvel at more than 2,000 natural rock arches at this park just outside of Moab.

Cedar Mesa Sandstone in Canyonlands Needles District

Explore the Needles, Island in the Sky, the Maze, and the Rivers of Canyonlands National Park. But don't miss these two fascinating spots nearby.

Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park

The best viewpoints, trails, and attractions in this under-the-radar park.

Utah offers hikers and backpackers an exceptional variety of lovely trails that meander across rivers and streams, and pass by striking waterfalls & arches

From hiking to fishing to winter sports, there are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast in Zion National Park.

Utah has many museums, zoos, movie sets, and historic sites to visit on your national park vacation

Looking for ideas for a Utah vacation? Here you'll suggestions for Utah's five national parks along with some of Utah's leisure towns and cities.

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How do you pack for your desert climate that includes river hiking and rafting? Here are the top 15 items to put in your backpack.

Ranger Victoria Allen greats visitors at the Arches Visitor Center. Photo by NPS Andrew Kuhn

A trip to Utah isn’t complete without a visit to one of its many national park and wilderness areas, so pack a little extra money to cover entrance fees.

Sun setting on the Watchman and Virgin River in Zion National Park

At peak season, it can be tricky to move through the crowds in Zion. Plan ahead with these location suggestions from pro photographer Ken Hubbard.

Bryce Canyon Amphitheater from Inspiration Point

Drive thru Colorado to Utah's Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion national parks. On the way visit Monument Valley and Lake Powell.